Despite the challenging weather conditions, Bournemouth Air Festival was still a superb event still delivered an incredible event and the Festival proved to be a huge draw for the resort. 2010 successes include Air Festival TV, a bigger and better Night Air programme, Thursday evening dusk display, more ground trading, iphone app, new look brochure and dedicated social networking team. Footfall estimates are similar to year one figure of approx. 750,000 over 4-days.

Feedback from the Forces and participating display teams has been superb, including:

“The third Bournemouth Air Festival has again lived up to expectations despite some challenging weather conditions. We have been treated to some spectacular displays from, across the services with the Royal Marine’s amphibious beach assaults supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, whilst in the air we have witnessed a range of outstanding air displays. This has been a fantastic event and an opportunity for the services to conduct essential training over the Festival, including the Royal Marines working throughout the night on an exercise.” – Commodore Jamie Miller, RN.

“It was out first time to Bournemouth, incredibly impressed with the event, the organisers and despite the weather, the crowds on the beach, we hope to be back next year!” – Tobias ‘Hitec’ Schutte, pilot F16.

“Once again Bournemouth Air Festival has proved to be a wonderful venue and attraction, despite the weather and reduced display programme. Crowds at the RAF Village were huge and we have engaged with Festival goers and guests. We’re looking forward to 2011” – Wing Commander Williams, RAF.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Backed by the Royal Navy and with air cover provided by scores of heavily-armed military aircraft and Royal Navy ships, a crack team of Royal Marines will launch a waterborne assault on Britain’s best-loved seaside resort this August.

The mock “coup” is just one of the countless events that make up Bournemouth’s spectacular annual Air Festival, taking place over four days from August 19th – 22nd.

More than a million visitors are expected to flock to the town’s clifftop and beach for the event which includes displays from the world of aviation, including the world famous Red Arrows (Friday 5pm, Saturday 12.30 & 4.30pm Sunday), the incredible Typhoon and Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter Display Team. Displaying for the first time at the Festival will be the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16, The Parachute Regiment Freefall Team – ‘The Red Devils’, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment’s Parachute Display Team ‘The Tigers’, war bird Hunter Jet, ‘Miss Demeanour’ and recently announced Vulcan – all of this is completely free of charge!

When the skies aren’t filled with vibrant aircrafts and colourful smoke, there’s 1.5 miles of trading space along the Festival site, trips to HMS Bangor and even the Guild of Aviation Artists exhibition in the town centre.

In the evening, ‘Night Air’ entertainment is the perfect way to end an incredible Festival line-up. On Thursday, Friday & Saturday watch performances by the Royal Marines Combat Display Team and HM Royal Marines Band – there’s also fireworks, a hot air balloon glow, an evening to night time air display, live music, circus workshops, Saturday night concert, street entertainers, fireworks and outdoor film screenings.

New for 2010 and not to be missed is the fantastic dusk air display on Thursday evening starting from approx 8pm and featuring the Red Devils, Glider, Miss Demeanour and Dutch F-16… the perfect reason to ‘stay longer and see more!’

Jon Weaver Air Festival Director said: “After two successful years, we did wonder how we could improve on the event, but we have secured some fantastic aircraft and incredible entertainment. We strive to create a line-up that is bigger and better than before and have just announced another addition – the historic Vulcan bomber. This year’s event will no doubt cement our reputation as the leading aviation festival of its kind – I am sure the hundreds of thousands of people expected will enjoy every minute of the free Bournemouth Air Festival!”

Before even stepping foot onto the 1.5miles of Festival arena be sure to download the Bournemouth Air Festival iPhone application. The official app comes with a GPS map, aircraft facts, programme of events and must-have Bournemouth information so you can plan ahead and make the most of your time in the UK’s leading resort. Simply search ‘Airfestival public free’ and connect to the free WiFi, courtesy of Etherlive, you can also tweet, share pictures and stay connected with friends and family.

A four-day festival jam-packed with awesome aircrafts, miles of trading stalls, day and night attractions and of course, it is all free – it’s certainly the perfect August attraction.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival organisers have announced The Matadors as the latest aircraft to be displaying at this years most anticipated summer event.

Regarded as one of the UK’s most dynamic aerobatic teams, The Matadors are set to amaze, impress and wow Air Festival crowds. Internationally renowned and in worldwide demand, the team only fly at a small number of UK air shows each year; and with pilots Paul Bonhomme and Steve Jones, considered to be two of the best in the world, at the helm festival-goers can be sure of some incredible sky-high action.

Steve Jones said; “After last years success there was a real buzz about Bournemouth on the air display circuit. We are incredibly pleased to be part of this summer’s event and are ready to bring some Matador action to the south coast!”

The Matadors display is designed to demonstrate the truly remarkable performance of the Sukhoi 26. The two pilots fly their aircraft in a variety of formation patterns, which include some extreme manoeuvres such as ‘the crossovers’, where Paul and Steve fly towards each other at a combined speed of 400mph.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director said; “We are delighted to announce The Matadors participation at the event, adding to our already impressive daytime line-up. The team only display at a few events each year so it is great news that Bournemouth is one of them.”

Taking place 20th – 23rd August, crowds will be in for a heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping 4-days this year, with the incredible Eurofighter Typhoon, Team Guinot Wingwalkers, Yakovlevs and Black Cats Helicopter Display team all set to perform.

For more information visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk

A Bell ‘Huey’ (65-09947 65-09947) has been kindly donated to Bournemouth Aviation Museum by Overseas Aircraft Support. It is currently waiting at their facility in Arizona while funds are raised before work can start to return it to the sky. If enough funds can be raised it could be flying in the UK as early as summer 2007. Paul Smith, project manager for the Fly Huey team reports that the intention is to return the Huey back in the air in the original colours of the 334th armed helicopter company and display it at various airshows across the United Kingdom and Europe. When not on flight duty it will be based on permanent display at Bournemouth Aviation Museum where the public can get up close and see a part of aviation history for themselves. Anyone who served with the 334th AHC and in particular the 4th Platoon ‘Gangbusters’ please contact us because we would love to hear from you. Bournemouth aviation museum needs your help to keep a small part of Vietnam war history preserved for all to enjoy and see. www.aviation-museum.co.uk.